National Panchayati Raj Day: Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 report released; 97.30% of Gram Panchayats took part
On National Panchayati Raj Day, 24 April 2026, marking 33 years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 report for FY 2023-24, which cut indicators from 516 to 150 and covered 97.30% of Gram Panchayats.
Summary
National Panchayati Raj Day was observed on 24 April 2026 with a national event in New Delhi marking 33 years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions; panchayat provisions are in Part IX of the Constitution. The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 report for FY 2023-24 was released at the event. PAI assesses Gram Panchayat performance across nine themes under Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals; version 2.0 reduced indicators from 516 to 150 and saw participation of 97.30% of Gram Panchayats across 33 States and UTs, up from 80.79% under PAI 1.0. The ministry's secretary said the Sixteenth Finance Commission grant for rural local bodies is nearly 84% higher than under the Fifteenth Finance Commission, with an 80:20 split between basic and performance grants. India has over 2.5 lakh panchayats with about 24.04 lakh elected representatives, of whom about 49.75% are women.
Key facts
- Day
- National Panchayati Raj Day, 24 April (33 years of 73rd Amendment Act)
- Static
- 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 came into force in 1993; panchayats in Part IX of the Constitution
- PAI 2.0
- Report for FY 2023-24; nine LSDG themes; indicators 516 → 150
- Participation
- 97.30% of GPs in 33 States/UTs (PAI 1.0: 80.79%)
- 16th Finance Commission
- Rural local body grant ~84% above 15th FC; basic:performance 80:20
- Panchayats
- Over 2.5 lakh; ~24.04 lakh elected representatives; ~49.75% women
- Also released
- Panchayat Dharohar monographs: Tripura, Tirupati, Uttarkashi
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 report released on 24 April 2026 rationalised the number of indicators from 516 to:
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Correct answer: B — 150
PAI 2.0 rationalised indicators from 516 to 150 and recorded participation of 97.30% of Gram Panchayats.
Provisions relating to Panchayats, given constitutional status by the 73rd Amendment Act, are contained in which Part of the Constitution of India?
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Correct answer: D — Part IX
The PIB backgrounder notes that the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 came into force in 1993 and the provisions related to Panchayats are in Part IX.
Consider the following statements made on National Panchayati Raj Day 2026: 1. The Sixteenth Finance Commission's grant for rural local bodies is nearly 84% higher than under the Fifteenth Finance Commission. 2. Basic and performance grants are split in the ratio 50:50. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
The secretary said the 16th FC grant is nearly 84% higher than under the 15th FC, with an 80:20 ratio between basic and performance grants; only statement 1 is correct.